Electric Showers

History

The ancient Greeks were the first people to use showers. Their aqueducts and sewage systems allowed water to be pumped both into and out of large communal shower rooms used by the elite and common citizens alike. These advanced water and sewage systems fell out of use after the fall of the Greek and Roman empires.

The first showers in the modern era were self-contained units where water could be re-used several times – arguably the first environmentally friendly showers! They came into use during the late 18th century when William Feetham of Ludgate Hill in the City of London, a stove-maker and furnishing ironmonger, was granted a patent for his shower in 1767.

This development was followed by the English Regency Shower, anonymously invented and over 10 feet tall. Water was pumped through a nozzle and over the occupant’s shoulders before being collected and pumped back into the basin.

The re-invention of indoor plumbing around 1850 allowed the free-standing shower to be connected to a running water source, making it easier to use.

Innovation

Today, electric showers are one of most popular types of shower installed in British homes, due to the fact they are suitable for the majority of bathrooms and easy for professional plumbers to install.

Electric Showers draw on a mains cold water supply and heat the water on demand. Choose a higher kilowatt rating for better flow performance and thermostatic temperature control for an electric shower which regulates water temperature to your needs, regardless of other water usage in the household.

Finally, it is important to note that the mains water pressure entering an electric shower must be delivered within certain parameters. This means having a minimum running pressure of no less than 1 bar, a flow rate of at least eight litres per minute and no more than 10 bars of static pressure. Most electric showers will be configured to conform with these requirements but such details can be checked by reading the manufacturer’s instructions.

Water Conservation

People can save water and money by taking a quick shower instead of a bath. A bath filled about a third of the way up requires around 75 litres, whereas an electric shower uses around four litres per minute. Given the average shower is seven-and-a-half minutes long, it’s easy to see how much water and money can be saved!

The electric shower is considered the best type of shower system for those looking to reduce energy and water bills. It heats up more quickly too, so overall a person can have more showers for less money if they go electric.